Santa Clara Mag Blog

Leon Panetta, Cover Man

Monday, Jan. 9, 2012

For anyone with an interest in our country’s politics and military, there are few people who you’d want to have a conversation with at this point in time than Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta ’60, J.D. ’63. Which is what Santa Clara Magazine brings in the next issue.

Steven Saum’s January cover story on Panetta looks back at the life and career of the alumnus (and former SCU professor) who has served in Congress, as chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, and until this summer as CIA director. Panetta discusses his vision for the military and shares stories from his days on the Mission campus. You could say his reputation as a rocker of boats began when he stood up to a Jesuit professor. On the subject of theology.